Janice Benoit Fodero

Janice Lola Benoit Fodero, 83, died peacefully in her home in Orange on October 24. 2023. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on February 12, 1940, Janice was the daughter of the late Maxime Armand Benoit and Blanche (Berthiaume) Benoit. She was the wife of the late Severio (Bob) Fodero and sister of the late Eileen Benoit.

Janice always said she had a wonderful life. Growing up in Athol, Massachusetts, she enjoyed biking, swimming, playing the flute, and having a good time with her friends. When the family moved to Hamden, Connecticut, Janice was a junior in high school. She often said that it was an eye-opening experience for a small town girl to move to a small city. After graduating from Hamden High School, Janice entered Albertus Magnus College where she majored in political science and made lasting friendships.

She began her professional life on an emergency teaching certificate as a middle school teacher in Wallingford. She attended evening and summer classes, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Education from SCSU. She also taught in Hamden and at Amity Junior High School in Orange.

One day, while doing research in the SCSU Library, she began a conversation with a librarian which ended in Janice thinking she might want to switch careers. Janice was accepted into the Pratt Institute Library and Information Science program. Moving to New York City was a challenge and a delight for this small town girl. She met interesting people who introduced her to ethnic foods, the subway system, and life in the big city. Back home after earning her Masters in Library Science, she worked at libraries in Bridgeport and New Haven, and at SCSU, finally finding her home at the Hopkins School as Head Librarian. This was an immersive experience for her since the library needed to be completely updated. She tackled this process with focused determination, visiting the libraries of other private schools in the state, and talking to anyone who could advise her. Janice loved reading book reviews, helping students and faculty with projects, and bringing the library into the computer world.

During this time she met the ‘love of her life.’ She regaled her friends with how she met Bob. While living in New Haven with her sister, they decided to give a party and friends of friends were invited. When she opened the door to a knock, there was this handsome man standing there who said, “Is this where the party is? I’m Bob Fodero and I was invited by my friend. I can’t stay long because I have Army reserve duty.” Janice experienced that ‘coup de foudre’ moment where she knew this was the man for her.

Bob became the Associate Director at the Yale University Student Health Service and a fellow of Timothy Dwight College. He had a terrific sense of humor and an engaging personality. He was invited everywhere and Janice ‘tagged’ along meeting famous persons from all walks of life. Bob liked the status quo but not Janice. They moved into a house in Orange that was always a “work in progress” for Janice and a trial for Bob but he endured whichever project she worked on because he loved her. When it came to sharing likes, it was easy. They attended the theatre, concerts, and operas. Janice had traveled extensively with her sister to India, the Middle East, and hosteled through nine Western European countries. Oh, the stories she told about riding on scooters! She wanted to continue her travels so she and Bob took advantage of their vacation time to visit National Parks and historic sites in 37 states and many European countries, of which Italy was her favorite country and Sicily her favorite province. Bob drove and Janice was the navigator and tour guide. She liked nothing better than to read guide books and plan their trips.

In retirement Janice branched out. Janice loved her yard. She was especially proud of her copper beech tree and she actually enjoyed weeding and cutting her hedges because she said she could see immediate results. She joined the Literacy Volunteers of Milford where she spent countless hours preparing for her classes making sure she had a variety of activities planned to teach her students about American history, American English, our customs, politics, states, and literature. She was a member of the Milford-Orange AAUW and was currently in charge of publicity for the Friends of the Case Memorial Library in Orange. She was an avid reader, especially enjoying biographies of our 20th century presidents. Her vacations included visits to presidential libraries.

Janice forged a special friendship with two friends, Judy Grosso of Monroe and Phyllis Gwatkin of Orange. They were her “chosen sisters” who engaged in stimulating conversations, lots of laughs, visits to museums, lunches, and family dinners at holiday times. When they heard about her illness, they were there to support her, to care for her, and, ultimately, to prepare a service to celebrate her life. Janice also leaves her “adopted” Laotian-American family: Kate and Larry Nitirouth and her godson, Justin, of Boston and his brother Andrew of New York City; Vanhkham and Mone Lavarn, and their daughter, Christina; and Joy and Bob Pocobello, all of Wallingford.

A celebration of Janice’s life will be held on Friday, November 10 at 10:00 am at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. During her brief illness, she was cared for by the Orange VNA, Live-In Advantage, and Opal Stork caregivers, and Hospice. Their compassionate and professional care made her last days peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the charity of your choice in Janice’s name.